The Red Day

IV.

           Danver Cask didn't know what to make of their new companion. She was quite small, as if she still had growing to do. Her hair was an inky black, cropped at her shoulders, with a few braids adorned with silver and gold pieces. Her skin a shade of light brown, yet her cheeks were stained red from living out in the desert for so long. It almost made her look like she was constantly blushing. Her clothes were that of all desert dwellers. Loose, light fabrics of beige and brown and red. Her own cloak a deep set red. She looked like a drop of blood against the orange hue of the desert.

He didn't like the idea of traveling with someone else. It had been Festis and Danver for so long that the change in dynamic was strange and foreign. Especially when they knew next to nothing about this girl. Was she impulsive? From first impressions, he didn't think so, recalling how she'd been silently stalking them when they arrived in her village. She seemed loyal to a fault, but would those loyalties change if it came down to saving her friend? Danver didn't want to think about the types of scenarios that would put them in that position.

But finally, Danver wondered about the girl's intelligence. Surely, leaving behind everything you know to travel with two strange men who claim the words of the Gods lead them to you was not very smart. But, the two other women didn't seem to put up much of a fight about it if they didn't trust them to an extent. Even still, was she resourceful enough to get out of a bind, if needed? Could she think with her head and not her heart?

As a Godsmith, Danver had sworn off many things. Unnecessary violence being one of them. He hadn't used his hands to injure in so long. He sent a silent prayer up to Lothas, Goddess of Peace, that this girl would not be his undoing.

He wondered how Festis was feeling right now, as they traversed the sands. Festis' role as Caretaker was like a bodyguard of sorts. Sworn in by the Gods to make sure their spokespersons remained alive. There were many reasons why someone would want the Godsmiths dead. It was a difficult role, but Danver wholly believed in their cause. The Caretakers were generally not supposed to voice their concerns, unless it related to imminent danger, but Danver always welcomed his companion's opinion.

The night prior, Festis was reluctant to agree about bringing the girl with them, but after seeing him gift her one of his knives, Danver concluded that Festis was determined to complete their goal. They would bring Renua back to Tenb'ir. With or without this Kallen. Safe and alive.

The two men had complained the whole way to Tenb'ir. Desert travel was not high on their list of favored activities. The girl seemed to have no problems, gliding across the landscape as if it was second nature. Perks of growing up in the sand, he mused. He wished he had a staff to assist, too.

"So, where's your favorite place you've ever been?" The girl asked. Mild surprise filled Danver. He had assumed she was not the type to talk unless necessary.

"Sentha's Falls," Festis, also surprisingly, answered.

"Where is that?" She asked, curious.

Festis grumbled, not wanting to give a whole explanation. So, Danver spoke for him. "It is a waterfall, nestled deep in the Withered Forests of Frenwell. Far away from the King's territory. Some say that is where all the little folk went after the new King took over. The water is said to have healing properties, but really it's just peaceful. A place that feels out of time and place."

"I've never seen a waterfall before," Ren said. "There is a cave, about half a days journey from the village. Kallen and I discovered it when we were younger. Inside the cave, there is a steady trickle of falling sand. We'd call it a sandfall." More surprise. Maybe it wouldn't take much to get the girl to open up.

Danver took this as a chance to ask more about this Kallen. "Did you and Kallen do that a lot? Travel outside the village?"

Ren seemed contemplative before responding, "Yes. We would search the dunes for lost items. We were.. scavengers."